A in the latter converse accident hasty

a) In the latter (converse accident (hasty generalisation)), one argues that since many or most atypical members of a class have a specified property, therefore all members of the class (distributively) do also.b) In the former (fallacy of composition), one argues that since all of the members of a class havea specified property therefore the class itself (collectively) has that property.The difference between the fallacy of division and that of accident is that,a) The latter (accident) argues that since most members of a class have a specified property therefore any particular member or subclass of members, no matter how atypical, must have that property also.b) The former (fallacy of division) argues that since a class itself (collectively) has a specified property therefore any member or subclass of members of the class must have that property also1.6 SUBTOPIC 4: How to Avoid Fallacious Reasoning

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Fallacies are pitfalls into which any of us may tumble in our reasoning. There is no sure general way to avoid fallacies.a) To avoid fallacies of relevance requires constant vigilance and awareness of the many ways inwhich irrelevance can intrude. A realization of the flexibility of language and the multiplicity of its use will keep us from mistaking an exhortation to accept and approve a conclusion for an argument designed to prove that conclusion true.b) Fallacies of ambiguity are subtle things. Words are slippery, and most of them have a variety of different senses or meanings. Where these different meanings are confused in the formulation of an argument, the reasoning is fallacious.c) To avoid the various fallacies of ambiguity, we must have and keep the meanings of our terms clearly in mind. One way to accomplish this is by defining the key terms that are used.d) And since shifts in the meanings of terms can make arguments fallacious, ambiguity can be avoided by careful definition of the terms involved. Definition is an important matter for anyone interested in the study of logi1.40 SUMMARY The importance of studying and understanding fallacious thinking cannot be underestimated. The study of fallacious arguments, for familiarity and understanding helps us to avoid being misled by them. There are many people around us who purport to profess knowledge but when we subject their thinking to scrutiny its only ignorance that comes afore. A multitude of human beings thrive on deception; they incessantly beg sympathy and pretence defines their character. Failure to understand the kind of fallacious arguments will

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